Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-11
SEVERAL WELL KEPT SECRETS.
How MT. Arthur Came Near Dying when
President.


DIR. Lincoln. one Of the most prominent
Of the phvsiciaus here, was the regular
attendant vi President Arthur. Since the
latter death the doctor has given an &C
count Of two serious attacks of illness
Of Arthur when he was president about
which the pui lie has never heard word.
Arthur came near dying three times, once
while vicc-prrsident and twice while he
was president One GttGck which nearly
carried him of, and which is known TO
the public. occurred on board the Talla-
pOosa when Mr.. Arthur was absent on his
Florida trip. The news of this attack got
out, and within few days afterward
exact details IF the danger through which
the president had passed were given. These
stories were at that time denied Mt the
White House in the most positive and
dOuuatic way. The president was 50 sen
sitiye upon the subject of his health that
the OhscluiOus members Of his personal
staff felt called upon to make denials Of
what they knew to be true.
DIR. Lincoln says that there were two
other occasions when the president came
Us near dying as upon the occasion Of his
Florida trip. His first serious attack OC-
CURED in senator Jones house on Capitol
hill, when Arthur was vice president.
This Httack took place during Arthur 5
visit to Washington in July, after he had
been called here to await the result Of
Garticlds wounds. Mr.. Arthur at that
time was weighed down with worry and
responsibility. He was n very emotional
man. The criticisms OF that time, the eN-
element Of his surroundings, and the re-
sponsibility which was threatening to
come upon his shoulders made a combina-
ton Of outward influence which depressed
him very much. Then he caught cold,
and this cold brought on an attack Of ner-
vous rheumatism. DR.. Lincoln was sum
mOned to attend him one night and found
Mr. Arthur in a very dangerous condition.
Dr. Lincoln really thought he would die
The news of this attack was well kept
Not single member Of the Garfield cab
met ever knew it. The knowledge WIZ
confined TO DIR. Lincoln and Senator Jones
Not even the servants were given TO un.
derstand that the illness was anything
more than an ordinary cold. Think S'hat
q sensation was suppressed by this lose
mouthed doctor Garfield was lyUy at
the point of death at the White House
ard his successor for twenty-fOur hours
was at the point II death in another part
Of the town.
The second o"~1siOn when DR.. Lincoln
was called in t. s and between Mr.. Arthur
and e second Gull of death was after Mr..
Arthur's return from the Yellowstone
valley This TIP was very severe upon
him. Instead Of benCiting him the result
was serious injury. The rOughinS it, in
stead Of building him up. pulled him down.
He had gotten beyond the point when he
could stand such treatment. When he re-
turned from the west to the White House
he was in a most distressing condition.
When DIR. Lincoln came to see him he
found him suffering horrible pain. His
legs were swollen nearly to the size Of his
body. This was the positive indication OF
the development Of BTight's disease. Dr.
Lincoln was able 10 relieve MIR. Arthur
and to reduce the distensiOn. But If he
had not received medical attendance very
promptly he would have died ut that tint
and Acting Vice. President George T. Ed
munds would have been his successor
The news OF this attack was never known
outside of the presidents immediate at
tendants in the White House, Secretary
Frelirghuysen and DR. Lincoln. None oi
the other members Of the cabinet werC
ever told Of this attack. This second Ill
ne.s was another one Of the wen preserved
secrets Of the Arthur administration
Washington Cor. New York World.